Yamamoto Tsunetomo wrote his famous Hagakure (Behind the Leaves), also called the Book of the Samurai, which many may know because it was featured in Jim Jarmusch’s movie “Ghost Dog”.
Yamamoto explains this warrior philosophy:
“the way of the samurai is found in death. when it comes to either/or, there is only the quick choice of death. it is not particularly difficult. be determined and advance. to say that dying without reaching one’s aim is to die a dog’s death is the frivolous way of sophisticates. when pressed with the choice of life or death, it is not necessary to gain one’s aim.
we all want to live. and in large part we make our logic according to what we like. but not having attained our aim and continuing to live is cowardice. this is a thin dangerous line. to die without gaming one’s aim is a dog’s death and fanaticism. but there is no shame in this. this is the substance of the way of the samurai. if by setting one’s heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he pains freedom in the way. his whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling.”
despite the fact that this was written under completely different historical and cultural circumstances than we are living right now, and with another goal in mind than most of us have, these words make sense. if we could die right now, our life would be a success.
so, what are we actually aiming for?
and why do we feel we are not yet prepared to leave?
what do you still have to achieve?
